When to plant Linaria in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Sow linaria direct into the ground from January to May, scattering the fine seed across the warm-to-cooling soil of late summer and autumn. This hardy annual, sometimes called Moroccan toadflax, germinates in 14–28 days and produces masses of small snapdragon-like flowers. Sow shallow at just 3 mm, barely covering the seed, and thin to 10–20 cm apart with 15–20 cm between rows for a dense, colourful drift. Linaria is quick, flowering in around 70 days, which makes it a reliable filler. In temperate gardens around Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, autumn sowings give a bright, low display through spring.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: January to May.

Growing notes

Linaria is a cheerful, low-growing annual grown for its dense sprays of miniature snapdragon flowers in mixed pastels. It is one of the easier hardy annuals for a temperate garden and works beautifully massed in a border, along a path edge, or scattered through a cottage planting.

Sow the fine seed direct where it is to grow, as it dislikes transplanting and is quick enough not to need a head start indoors. Because the seed is so small, mix it with a little dry sand for even distribution and cover only lightly to 3 mm. Full sun and a well-drained, moderately fertile soil give the best flowering; overly rich beds push leafy growth at the expense of blooms.

The main failure mode is uneven, thin germination from sowing too deep or letting the surface dry out. The fixes are a barely-there covering of soil, gentle watering with a fine rose so seed is not washed away, and keeping the surface consistently moist until seedlings appear. In a hot Perth or Adelaide spring, an autumn sowing beats a spring one, since linaria prefers cool conditions and tends to fade quickly once real summer heat arrives.

Pull spent plants once flowering finishes, and leave a few to self-seed for a fresh flush the following year.

Linaria at a glance

Common questions

How deep should I sow linaria seed?

Linaria seed is very fine and needs only a light covering to about 3 mm. Mix it with a little dry sand for even distribution and keep the surface moist until the seedlings appear.

When should I sow linaria in a temperate garden?

Sow direct from January to May, taking advantage of the cooling late-summer and autumn soil. An autumn sowing gives a better, longer display than a spring one, since linaria prefers cool conditions and fades in real heat.

Why is my linaria germination patchy?

Thin germination usually comes from sowing too deep or letting the soil surface dry out. Barely cover the fine seed, water gently with a fine rose so it is not washed away, and keep the surface consistently moist for the 14–28 day germination period.

Does linaria come back each year?

Linaria is an annual, but it self-seeds readily if you leave a few spent plants to set seed. In a temperate garden this often gives a fresh flush the following year without replanting.

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